Minister Sirsa vows revamp of Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa lashed out at the previous AAP government for its “shocking neglect" of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial at Singhu Border, calling it a “symbol of betrayal” and a “deliberate insult to Sikh sentiments.” During a series of ground inspections across Delhi on Tuesday, Sirsa visited the memorial, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Combating Climate Change and the NH-1 stretch near Bhalswa landfill, promising urgent upgrades and infrastructural transformation.

Accompanied by Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, Sirsa visited the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial, a landmark covering 11.87 acres, built in honour of the ninth Sikh Guru’s martyrdom. Sirsa highlighted that the memorial had fallen into disrepair under the previous government, with its light and sound show defunct and essential lighting infrastructure broken. “While crores were spent on PR, not a rupee was spared to preserve this spiritual and cultural landmark,” Sirsa remarked, accusing the AAP government of politicising Sikh emotions.

Promising a complete revamp of the site, both Sirsa and Mishra said the memorial would be developed into a vibrant tourist and cultural hub with laser shows, heritage tours, and upgraded visitor facilities. “This place deserves to be a cultural and spiritual beacon,” said Mishra.

The Minister later inspected the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Combating Climate Change (MGICCC) at Bakoli, which has also suffered neglect over the years. Spread over 17 acres, the institute had served as a centre for green tech innovations, but now shows signs of disrepair. Sirsa said the campus’s once climate-friendly hexagonal design has deteriorated due to “government apathy.”

“They couldn’t even preserve Mahatma Gandhi’s name, let alone uphold his values,” he said, pledging immediate financial support and promising a major plantation drive during the upcoming monsoon season.

Sirsa also visited the NH-1 stretch near Bhalswa landfill, a busy arterial road facing persistent traffic and dust pollution. He instructed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to prepare a decongestion plan and called for intensified mechanical sweeping, dust stabilization measures, and greening of roadside patches. He also hinted at expanding CCTV-based real-time traffic monitoring, currently being piloted on the Gurugram-Delhi Expressway, to NH-1.

“These site visits are part of our government’s mission-driven approach to not only preserve Delhi’s cultural landmarks but also improve its ecological and infrastructural health,” Sirsa said.

Delhi